The EEOC stands by the lawsuit it filed against Mitsubishi Motor
Manufacturing of America, Inc. on April 9, 1996. This lawsuit
alleges a pattern of egregious and pervasive sexual harassment and
retaliation at Mitsubishi's Normal, Ill., plant. It was based on a
thorough investigation which extended well over a year and involved
interviews of more than 100 current and former employees. The
lawsuit was filed only after efforts to resolve these matters out
of court failed.

The media has chronicled an aggressive and coordinated effort by
Mitsubishi to discredit both this litigation and the EEOC. I
understand that Mitsubishi management has informed employees that
their jobs are threatened by the EEOC's lawsuit and has installed
phones in the plant for employees to use to make free telephone
calls to Congress, the President, and the press about the case.
Today, Mitsubishi is sponsoring an all-expenses-paid trip for
employees and their families to protest at our office in Chicago.
It has been reported that employees will be excused from their
normal shifts and Mitsubishi will pay them at their regular wage to
participate in the demonstration. Employees who do not join the bus
trip will be required to work. As many as three thousand persons
may participate.

Mitsubishi and its employees are certainly free to express their
opinions in any lawful manner. However, the EEOC will not be
intimidated from pursuing this litigation. While we remain open to
the possibility of settlement, we are fully prepared to take this
case to trial where a jury drawn from the community will decide its
outcome.